Two women arrested over attempts to import meth

Two women have been arrested over attempts to import methamphetamine said to be worth $7 million.

Customs said it seized 11 packages of the drug at the border in the past five months, intended for different addresses in Hamilton and Invercargill.

It said staff and police officers searched the properties this morning, and the women were arrested.

They appeared in court this afternoon charged with importing a class A controlled drug.

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said the packages contained more than 7kg of methamphetamine.

He said they were sent from countries including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Ireland and China.

"Maybe they thought that by sending them from different countries and also into the regions they were getting under the radar, but we've got some very good systems in place that were able to connect the consignments to the two people that appeared in court today."